Epiroc underground drill rigs, mine trucks, loaders compatible with 100% renewable diesel

Sweden-based mining-equipment manufacturer Epiroc announced Oct. 31 that its range of drill rigs, mine trucks and loaders for underground applications are now verified to be compatible with 100 percent hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO100), also known as renewable diesel.

This alternative fuel reduces particulate-matter emissions and other harmful substances, including greenhouse gases.

“By switching from fossil diesel to HVO100, customers can reduce CO2e emissions in operations by up to 1,000 tons per year, using a Minetruck MT42 S as an example,” said Rickard Johansson, vice president of marketing at Epiroc’s underground division. “We are very proud to offer this alternative-energy source to support our customers in the transformation towards more sustainable mining operations.”

HVO100 can serve as a direct replacement for fossil diesel or be used in a blended form.

When used in diesel engines, this renewable fuel can reduce CO2e emissions by up to 90 percent compared to conventional fossil diesel, depending on operating conditions and production methods.

“Epiroc has ambitious sustainability targets for 2030, and we continuously strive to improve our offering by finding more sustainable customer solutions,” said Ulrika Ford, global sustainability manager with Epiroc’s underground division. “The ability to use HVO100 in our underground rigs, loaders and trucks is an important step towards meeting these targets and helping our customers lower their carbon footprint.”

Moving from fossil diesel to HVO100 does not require any changes to service, installation or infrastructure, as it works similarly to mineral diesel, which makes the transition to HVO100 a smooth and practical alternative solution.

HVO100 can be used in all underground drill rigs, mine trucks and loaders produced from December 2022.

For compatibility with earlier models, and for machines already in the field, customers are encouraged to contact their local customer-center representative.

Epiroc said it is committed to halving CO2e emissions in its own operations.

For example, in the product company in Örebro, Sweden, fossil-diesel utilization is being phased out and all machines are now fueled up with HVO100 instead.

In November 2023, Epiroc also announced HVO100 compatibility for surface drill rigs.